LeanLaw vs Smokeball:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Smokeball had more branded searches than LeanLaw among legal billing software worldwide. Smokeball had about 12,100 branded searches, while LeanLaw had 1,600. Smokeball made up 19.7% of all legal billing software searches we track, and LeanLaw accounted for 2.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about legal billing software, LeanLaw appeared in three of the five answers and Smokeball in two. LeanLaw was mentioned before Smokeball in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Smokeball, about 8 searches for every 1 for LeanLaw
Who does AI mention more?
LeanLaw, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Smokeball in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
LeanLaw, named ahead of Smokeball in 3 of 4 answers
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Top legal billing software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, LeanLaw was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Smokeball was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. LeanLaw was listed before Smokeball in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Clio1st
MyCase2nd
PracticePanther3rd
LawPay4th
LeanLaw5th
CosmoLex6th
Smokeball7th
TimeSolv8th
Bill4Time9th
Rocket Matter–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Clio5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
MyCase5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
PracticePanther4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
CosmoLex3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
LeanLaw3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
LawPay2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Smokeball2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Bill4Time2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
TimeSolv2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Rocket Matter0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about legal billing software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which legal billing system should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best legal billing systems?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best legal billing system for law firm time tracking?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“legal billing software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“law firm billing software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is LeanLaw or Smokeball more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for LeanLaw and Smokeball by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten legal billing software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Smokeball, LeanLaw. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | LawPay | PracticePanther | Smokeball | CosmoLex | Bill4Time | TimeSolv | Clio | LeanLaw | Rocket Matter | MyCase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25.8% | 17.3% | 17.3% | 11.6% | 7.7% | 9.4% | 3.9% | 2.3% | 4.1% | 0.56% |
| Nov 2025 | 24.4% | 16.3% | 19.9% | 13.3% | 7.2% | 8.9% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 3.1% | 0.23% |
| Dec 2025 | 26% | 17.4% | 17.4% | 11.6% | 7.7% | 9.5% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 3.3% | 0.19% |
| Jan 2026 | 22.2% | 18.2% | 18.2% | 12.2% | 8.1% | 9.9% | 4.6% | 2.9% | 3.6% | 0.17% |
| Feb 2026 | 22.3% | 14.9% | 22.3% | 12.2% | 8.2% | 10% | 4.5% | 2.4% | 2.9% | 0.21% |
| Mar 2026 | 21.3% | 17.4% | 21.3% | 11.6% | 7.8% | 9.5% | 5.4% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 0.24% |
| Apr 2026 | 23.3% | 15.6% | 19% | 12.7% | 8.5% | 10.4% | 4.4% | 3% | 3% | 0.22% |
| May 2026 | 24.4% | 16.3% | 19.9% | 13.3% | 7.2% | 8.9% | 4.5% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.18% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.9% | 18.8% | 18.8% | 12.6% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 4.2% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 0.22% |
| Jul 2026 | 23.2% | 19% | 23.2% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 6.9% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 0.17% |
| Aug 2026 | 24.2% | 19.8% | 19.8% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 8.8% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.18% |
| Sep 2026 | 24.1% | 19.7% | 19.7% | 10.8% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 4.3% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.23% |
How has the LeanLaw and Smokeball comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Smokeball was ahead of LeanLaw in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, LeanLaw’s share of searches among legal billing software worldwide moved from 2.3% to 2.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Smokeball’s share of searches among legal billing software worldwide moved from 17.3% to 19.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 12.1K.
How did search popularity change for legal billing software worldwide in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither LeanLaw nor Smokeball moved beyond provider rounding among legal billing software in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using LeanLaw’s and Smokeball’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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